Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology (fixed term maternity cover)


Company:	Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	per annum
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Bedford, MK42 9DJ
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	14 Sept 2026
Closing date:	14 Oct 2026

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Summary

A Vacancy at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

We are seeking an experiencedBiomedical Scientistto join the Microbiology Department at Bedford Hospital on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave.

The laboratory is equipped with a wide range of modern microbiology and diagnostic technologies, includingbioMérieux BacT/ALERT VIRTUO, Beckman Coulter MicroScan, bioMérieux VIDAS, BioFire TORCH, Roche cobas 6800, Cepheid GeneXpert, BD MAX, Bruker MALDI-TOF, DS2 and BD MGIT.

The laboratory provides a comprehensive range of microbiological investigations toBedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and surrounding GP practices. The department isUKAS accredited to ISO 15189:2022and is anIBMS-approved training laboratory, supporting the education and development of biomedical science staff.

As a member of the Microbiology Team, you will contribute to the delivery of ahigh-quality, efficient and patient-focused microbiology service. You will perform a range of microbiological analyses and investigations, providing accurate and timely results to support the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of patients across the Trust.

The post holder will work as aBiomedical Scientist, performing a range of microbiological techniques and investigations to support the accurate and timely diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Following completion of the required training and competency assessments, the post holder will be expected to participate in the department’sshift working arrangements, which will include working weekends and bank holidays, as well as participating in the on-call service where required.

The department is progressing towards a24-hour, 7-day microbiology service, and the post holder will be expected to work flexibly as part of this developing 24/7 service provision.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

TheJob Description and Person Specificationare attached to this vacancy and should be reviewed for full details of the role, duties and responsibilities.

• To work as aHCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS), contributing to the safe, effective and efficient delivery of the department’s diagnostic services.

• To support theSpecialist Biomedical Scientists and Senior Biomedical Scientistsin the implementation and delivery of a cohesive, high-quality service, working in conjunction with the Clinical Lead for the department.

• To support the implementation of the department’sQuality Policy and agreed quality objectives, ensuring that appropriate quality standards are maintained.

• To contribute to the implementation and maintenance ofUKAS standards and ISO 15189 compliance, utilising the established Pathology Quality Management System and participating in relevant quality activities and audits.

• To assist with the implementation ofaction plansrequired to address non-conformities identified through internal and external audits, complaints or other quality processes, and to support the completion of identifiedcorrective and preventive actions.

• To work in accordance with the department’sStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs), accessing and following current controlled documents through theQ-Pulse Document Management System.

• Where appropriately assigned, to assist with the delivery ofstaff training and competency assessmentin conjunction with the departmental Senior Biomedical Scientist and Training Officer. This will include providing one-to-one training, supporting competency assessments in accordance withISO 15189, completing relevant training and competency documentation, and assisting with the collection and maintenance of appropriate evidence.

• To comply with allTrust, Pathology and departmental policies, procedures and protocolsrelevant to the role, ensuring that professional, quality, health and safety and regulatory requirements are consistently maintained.

This advert closes on Monday 28 Sep 2026

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